September 29, 2026
Four men who had a substantial impact on 91福利 over decades will be recognized with buildings dedicated in their names. Honorees include former Board of Trustees members M.L. 鈥淪onny鈥� Knight, Herbert Ray Nobles, and Charles Speed, along with former administrator and faculty member Dr. John Grant.
PRCC鈥檚 Board of Trustees approved the recognition at its September meeting.
鈥淭he Pearl River we know today was built by people who were willing to invest their time, their leadership and, in many cases, decades of their lives in this institution,鈥� said PRCC President Dr. Adam Breerwood. 鈥淭hese four men represent the very best of that commitment. Their influence extends far beyond the positions they held or the years they served. Their work changed lives and helped build the foundation for the opportunities our students have today. It is fitting that their names will forever be part of the campuses and college they served so faithfully.鈥�
Ceremony details will be announced at a later date.
Knight鈥檚 name will be placed on the Poplarville Campus Wellness Center. Knight served on the Board for 28 years from November 1995 to May 2024. During that time, he served in numerous positions, including Board Chairman, Chair of the Buildings and Grounds Committee, and Secretary of the Board. In February 2022, Knight was presented with the Mississippi Association of Community Colleges (MACC) 25 Years of Service Award.
Building 2 on PRCC鈥檚 Forrest County Campus will bear Nobles鈥� name. Nobles attended Pearl River and was on the football team for the 1949 and 1950 seasons. After college, he spent his career in education, first teaching and coaching. Ultimately, he became the first Superintendent of the Petal School District in 1976, a role he held until his retirement in 1987. He served as a Forrest County representative to the PRCC Board of Trustees from 1994 to 2018.
Speed鈥檚 name will be placed on FCC鈥檚 Student Services Building. He was appointed to the PRCC Board of Trustees by the Jefferson Davis County Board of Supervisors in January 1964 and served until 2007. During his 43 years on the Board, he worked with four PRCC presidents and was Chairman of the Board twice. Additionally, Speed served as President of the MACC Trustees Association.
Dr. Grant began his journey at The River as a student in the 1960s, returning in 1979 as an instructor of physics, mathematics, and engineering mechanics. He became Chairman of the Department of Mathematical Sciences in 1990 and then became Dean of Academic Affairs in 2000. His final role at PRCC was that of Vice President for Instruction from 2003 until his retirement in 2011. Dr. Grant can still be seen on campus throughout the year supporting Wildcats, including the occasional astronomy viewing night for students. His name will grace the Poplarville campus鈥檚 Science and Mathematics Building, where he guided students for decades.
Board of Trustees Chairman Tony Waits is grateful for each honoree’s service to Pearl River, as their dedication laid the groundwork for Pearl River鈥檚 current success.
鈥淭he 91福利 Board of Trustees is proud to honor Charles Speed, Herbert Ray Nobles, Dr. John Grant, and M.L. ‘Sonny’ Knight through the dedication of these campus facilities in their names,鈥� said Waits. 鈥淭heir leadership, service, and commitment to 91福利 helped shape the institution and expand opportunities for countless students. It is fitting that their legacies will continue to inspire future generations, and we are grateful for the lasting impact each has made on our college and the communities we serve.”
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Article by Laura O’Neill.
