May 21, 2026
Alumni and their family and friends, community partners, and faculty and staff at 91福利 gathered to honor recipients of this year鈥檚 Alumni Awards. Lake Terrace Convention Center in Hattiesburg served as the venue for the Alumni Association and Development Foundation鈥檚 annual event held on Thursday, May 14.
During the ceremony, individuals and one organization were recognized for personal and professional achievement while displaying the PRCC鈥檚 values.
Rising Star: Young Alumnus of the Year: Emily B. Steele, Associate at Rush Law Firm
Alumnus of the Year: Alex Riser, Vice President at Southern AgCredit.
Distinguished Service Award: Dr. Martha Lou Byrd Smith, Provost at PRCC
Outstanding Partnership: Forrest General Hospital and Forrest Health Services
Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. Carla Evers, Superintendent of Pass Christian School District
Dr. Trevor Hunt, Fine Arts and Communications Department Chair and Director of the Brownstone Center for the Arts served as Master of Ceremonies. Vice President for Hancock County Campus Dr. Raymunda Barnes provided the Invocation. Before the awards were presented, PRCC President Dr. Adam Breerwood greeted attendees with a glimpse at the college鈥檚 current successes.
鈥淭his evening, we honor individuals and organizations who represent the very best of what leadership and education should produce,鈥� said Dr. Breerwood. 鈥淭hese individuals and organizations reflect the very values that we believe define 91福利.
鈥淭he river is rising 鈥� not because of one moment or one leader, but because generation after generation continues to build on a foundation of service, integrity, sacrifice, and commitment to others.鈥�
Before each award winner gave their remarks, attendees viewed videos from mentors, friends, family, and coworkers congratulating them and solidifying how deserving these recipients were of their awards.
Executive Director of Development Foundation/Alumni Association Delana Harris ended the evening by congratulating the honorees again and thanking those individuals and companies who support the Foundation.
鈥淭onight, we celebrate the incredible accomplishments of our honorees, but we also celebrate the lasting impact each of you has had on the next generation of Wildcats,鈥� said Harris. 鈥淎s each new graduate steps into their careers and communities, they carry with them more than just a degree. They carry the support of an entire Wildcat family, a network of leaders, mentors, and champions who believe in our students every step of the way.鈥�
More information about the Alumni Association and Development Foundation is available at prcc.edu/alumni/. Nominations will open on July 1 for the 2026 Alumni Awards.
MEET THE AWARDEES
Rising Star: Young Alumnus of the Year: Emily B. Steele, Associate at Rush Law Firm
Emily B. Steele was born and raised in Hattiesburg. She began her academic journey at 91福利, where she served on Student Government, in Phi Theta Kappa, and in the Honors Institute. Steele then graduated summa cum laude from William Carey University with a Bachelor of Arts in English and a minor in Criminal Justice.
Steele pursued her Juris Doctorate at the University of Mississippi School of Law, where she graduated magna cum laude and distinguished herself as a Representative on the Student Conduct Board. She was actively involved in the MacArthur Justice Clinic and held leadership roles in the Disability Law Association and Delta Theta Phi Legal Fraternity, among others.
Since joining Rush Law Firm, Steele has become known for her thoughtful and compassionate approach to client representation. She combines strength, sincerity, and strategic insight to ensure each client feels heard, understood, and confidently represented.鈥�
Steele is admitted to practice law in Mississippi鈥檚 State Courts and Federal District Courts. She鈥檚 an active member of the Mississippi Bar Association, South-Central Mississippi Bar Association, Women in the Profession, Hattiesburg Area Young Lawyers, and Pine Belt Young Professionals.
鈥淚鈥檓 incredibly honored to be chosen, and I鈥檓 grateful for the role PRCC played in my journey,鈥� said Steele. 鈥淧earl River was my very first step toward becoming an attorney, and I wouldn鈥檛 be where I am today without the faculty and staff who invested in me. The kindness and guidance I received here truly shaped who I am today.鈥�
Outside of her professional commitments, Steele enjoys life in Purvis alongside her husband, Lane, and their two Dobermans, Delta and Rowen. On weekends, you鈥檒l likely find her cheering on Ole Miss football or spending quality time with family and friends.
Alumnus of the Year: Alex Riser, Vice President at Southern AgCredit
Alex Riser was born and raised in Picayune, Mississippi, where he developed a strong foundation rooted in discipline, leadership, and a passion for both athletics and business. He attended 91福利 from 2006 to 2009, where he played baseball for the Wildcats under Head Coach Jamie MacMahon. While at The River, Riser earned the respect of his coaches and teammates and was appointed team captain. The Wildcats won a South Division championship, finished state runner-up, and placed as regional runner-up for Region 23.
Riser transferred to Bellhaven University, where he attended on a baseball scholarship. In 2010, he was part of the team that made the program鈥檚 first-ever appearance in the NAIA College World Series in Lewiston, Idaho. As a senior, he was again named team captain, leading his team to an SSAC Tournament Championship and to a school record-setting 45-win season in 2011 which still stands today.
After completing his collegiate baseball career, Riser earned his bachelor鈥檚 degree in Business Administration from Belhaven University. He continued his education by obtaining his Master of Business Administration (MBA) in 2014, further strengthening his foundation in finance and business strategy.
Riser began his professional career in the real estate industry in 2012 as a Real Estate Broker, gaining valuable experience in property transactions and land markets. In 2015, he transitioned into the banking industry with Southern AgCredit, where he specializes in agricultural lending. His background in real estate, combined with his financial expertise, allows him to effectively serve customers across the agricultural sector with a practical, relationship-driven approach.
鈥淭his is a true honor; arguably one of the biggest honors,鈥� said Riser. 鈥淵ou know a place is special when you can鈥檛 remember having a bad day there鈥攖hat鈥檚 what Pearl River was for me. This college helped shape me into a husband, a father, and a man in my community.鈥�
He is married to Allison Riser who also attended 91福利 as a cheerleader and a member of the String of Pearls dance team. They have one son, Denson, who is named after Hall of Fame Baseball Coach Hill Denson. Outside of work, Riser enjoys hunting, spending time outdoors, and investing in opportunities that align with his values and long-term vision.
Distinguished Service Award: Dr. Martha Lou Byrd Smith, Provost at PRCC
Lumberton native Dr. Martha Lou Smith began her career in education because of a teacher who helped her understand the value of education itself.鈥� After attending Pearl River, she earned bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚, and doctoral degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi.
From January 1992 through May 1995, she taught fourth and sixth grades at Lumberton Elementary.鈥� In 1995, Smith returned to her alma mater, Poplarville High School, and taught Technology Discovery to ninth graders.鈥� She began her career at 91福利 in Fall 2000, teaching Developmental Reading.鈥� Opportunities in both Institutional Research and Extended Education led to the Vice President of General Education and Technology Services in 2011.鈥疶he role has transitioned into her serving as Provost for the college.
Dr. Smith鈥檚 impact extends beyond the classroom and administration into meaningful community engagement. In 2017, she joined colleagues in creating Wildcat Wonderland, a free Christmas event designed to bring families to campus and share the PRCC experience. Since its first year, the event has grown significantly, becoming a signature tradition that draws thousands each year. Her active participation each year underscores her hands-on leadership style and commitment to fostering strong community connections.
鈥淧earl River has been a home to me, where people have cared for me, but they’ve also allowed me to care for them,鈥� said Smith. 鈥淩ather than chasing long-term goals, I鈥檝e learned to focus on the moments in front of me, because those moments create opportunities.
鈥淭he true reward has been being part of a place where people care for one another and grow together.鈥�
Outstanding Partnership: Forrest General Hospital and Forrest Health Services
Founded in 1952, Forrest Health has grown from a 90-bed county hospital into a comprehensive regional health system serving communities across South Mississippi. Over the years, the system has expanded to include seven hospitals, including a Level II Regional Trauma Center, and home to specialized services including The Orthopedic Institute, Pine Grove Behavioral Health & Addiction Services, the Cancer Center, the Forrest Health Institute of Neuroscience, and twelve clinics. Each of these facilities provides essential inpatient, emergency, rehabilitation, and long-term care services close to home. Together, these facilities reflect Forrest Health鈥檚 ongoing commitment to expanding access, improving outcomes, and delivering high-quality, compassionate care to the people of South Mississippi and beyond.
The award was accepted by the Forrest Health President and CEO Jeff Cook.
鈥淚’m accepting an award, not for anything personally that I’ve done, but on behalf of a lot of people that make tough decisions and pivot very fast all of the time,鈥� said Cook. 鈥淕reat organizations are built by extraordinary people working together toward a shared purpose.
鈥淥ur partnership with Pearl River is about investing in people鈥攕tudents who will become the future of healthcare.鈥�
Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. Carla Evers, Superintendent of Pass Christian Public School District
Dr. Carla J. Evers is an accomplished educational leader serving in her 35th year as an educator and her 10th year as superintendent of the Pass Christian Public School District. Over the course of her career, she has served Mississippi鈥檚 students as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, and Director of Instructional Programs, earning recognition as both Teacher of the Year and Administrator of the Year.
Under her leadership, the district has continued its strong tradition of excellence and is widely regarded for its legacy of achievement in academics, athletics, and the arts. Deeply committed to student success, Dr. Evers maintains a visible presence in classrooms and schools, ensuring that every learner is equipped to graduate college- and career-ready. She takes particular pride in the accomplishments of the students of 鈥淭he Pass,鈥� whose performance consistently reflects the high standards and shared commitment of the community.
Dr. Evers is actively engaged in civic and professional organizations, including the Children鈥檚 Foundation of Mississippi, PREPS, the Gulf Coast Education Initiative Consortium, and the Executive Committee of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.
鈥淚t is so special to be honored, but it鈥檚 even more special to be truly seen,鈥� said Evers. 鈥淧earl River holds some of my fondest memories and served as an incubator for me to learn hard lessons. It was in the halls and the classrooms of the River that I grew up and began discovering who I wanted to become. I came here thinking I would be a medical doctor, but I left here understanding my calling was to be a teacher.鈥�
鈥淢y prayer is that the work I do honors God, that it opens doors for the children that I serve, and that it makes my family proud.鈥�
She is the daughter of Jewel and Glenda Raines of Carriere, MS. She and her husband, Carlos Evers, SFC ret., are the proud parents of six children鈥� three sons and three daughters鈥�, grandparents of five and parents to two French Bulldogs. A woman of faith, she is a member of First Missionary Baptist Church of Handsboro in Gulfport. She credits her success to God鈥檚 favor on her life and the unwavering support of her family.
The 91福利 Alumni Association and Development Foundation annually recognizes individuals, groups, and organizations that have earned both personal and professional achievement while also displaying the values of PRCC.
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Article by Laura O’Neill. Photography by Laura O’Neill and Patrick Peerboom.
