Hattiesburg Hall of Fame inducts WCU alumnus
- Monday, October 11, 2021 3:25 PM
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Alumni
Dr. Larry LeFlore, an alumnus of William Carey University, was among 12 people inducted into the 2021 Hattiesburg Hall of Fame during a virtual ceremony on Oct. 7.
The award program is sponsored by Hattiesburg Public School District Foundation, which funds classroom enrichment grants, supports early childhood, arts and athletic programs, provides college scholarships, and works to meet the district’s emerging needs.
Michael Marks, Hattiesburg Hall of Fame chair, welcomed guests to the ceremony.
“These honorees are some of the most distinguished graduates of our city’s schools. And whether the inductees hail from Eureka, Rowan, Royal Street, Blair or old Hattiesburg High School, the Hall of Fame is a way to bring our community together, to celebrate the foundational legacy of our schools’ graduates and to lead the way to building on it for future generations,” Marks said.
LeFlore graduated from L.J. Rowan High School in 1967.
“I am deeply honored and humbled to be inducted into the illustrious Hattiesburg Hall of Fame. I am most proud to have been a student at 16th Section Elementary School, Mary Bethune Elementary School, Lillie Burney Junior High School and Rowan Senior High School,” LeFlore said.
“I am very proud to have been a student of the teachers at those schools. They were deeply concerned about developing the whole student. They were concerned about the students’ present situation and their lives after high school – when they went to college, joined the military or got a job. It is for them that I am here and because of them that I am here.”
In 1971, LeFlore earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology/psychology from William Carey University. He went on to earn master’s degrees in community counseling and family studies from the University of Southern Mississippi and a doctorate in sociology/marriage and family therapy from Florida State University.
“Since Hattiesburg is our home, we are always pleased to see WCU grads recognized by our local schools. Dr. LeFlore has advanced in his chosen profession and is recognized nationally as a leader. Congratulations to him and to Hattiesburg Hall of Fame for recognizing him,” said WCU President Dr. Tommy King.
Since his retirement in 2016, LeFlore has been a professor and dean emeritus at Texas Woman’s University. He was regional director of the Mississippi Department of Youth Services and has served on many boards, including the Pine Belt Boys and Girls Club, the District Boy Scouts of America and the Greater Hattiesburg Area Development Partnership. LeFlore was named to “Who’s Who Among Black Americans” and has published articles and book chapters in the areas of children and youth development, family and juvenile justice.
Other 2021 Hattiesburg Hall of Fame inductees included:
- Jennifer Abraham, Hattiesburg High (1991)
- Rosie M. Butler, Hattiesburg High (1974)
- Larry Doleac, S.H. Blair (1970)
- Mildred Gaddis, Hattiesburg High (1972)
- Jeremy Hirsch, Hattiesburg High (1995)
- John R. Huff, Hattiesburg High (1964)
- Robert E. James Sr., L.J. Rowan High (1964)
- Dean Meader Smith, S.H. Blair (1971)
- Andy Stelelman, Hattiesburg High (1979)
- Larry Whigham, Hattiesburg High (1990)
- Dr. Andrew Wiest, Hattiesburg High (1978)
In the photo: Dr. Larry LeFlore, right, visits with Dr. Tommy King and his wife, Sandy, during Homecoming 2019.
