ICC Mourns the Passing of Longtime Communications Director Donna Thomas

Itawamba Community College is mourning the loss of one of its most devoted and influential team members, Donna Thomas of New Albany, who dedicated more than 55 years of service to the college and touched countless lives through her professional excellence, mentorship and quiet acts of kindness.

Thomas, who began her ICC career on January 15, 1970, faithfully served six of the college's seven presidents, building a legacy that spanned generations. Over her distinguished tenure she held numerous leadership positions including adult basic education newspaper editor, continuing education director, director of publications, director of media relations and most recently director of communications. She also served as a journalism instructor, mentoring students through her advisement of The Chieftain, ICC's student newspaper, and The Mirror, the college yearbook, both of which earned multiple top awards from the Mississippi Press Association and the College Public Relations Association of Mississippi (CPRAM).

Her influence extended well beyond the classroom and the campus. Thomas was an active member for more than 30 years in both the CPRAM and the Mississippi Community College Alumni and Advancement Association, serving in leadership roles and earning statewide recognition for her excellence in public relations and communications. She served as a dedicated board member for the ICC Alumni Association.

After retiring from full-time service in 2013, Thomas returned to ICC just three months later, proving that her devotion to the college was more than a career; it was a calling. Though officially a part-time employee, her colleagues often joked that she never really retired. She continued to volunteer countless hours each week to support ICC's communications efforts and to preserve its history, serving faithfully until her passing.

In recognition of her unmatched dedication, Thomas was honored as the first recipient of ICC's Golden Employee Award and later received the Distinguished Service Award in 2023.

"Donna Thomas was part of the very fabric of Itawamba Community College," said ICC President Dr. Jay Allen. "Her dedication, her attention to detail and her servant's heart defined what it means to live out ICC's mission every day. She didn't just work here, she built a legacy of compassion, commitment and excellence that will continue to inspire us all."

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Thomas was known for her generosity, her heart for service and her love for all things Ole Miss Rebels. She was famous around campus for her random acts of kindness, leaving notes or small gifts for colleagues, bringing treats to the office, quietly paying it forward in the dining hall and supporting virtually every fundraiser that crossed her path. Her selflessness was as constant as her presence and her compassion left a lasting mark on all who knew her.

Outside ICC, Thomas was deeply involved in her community. She held leadership positions with numerous civic and service organizations including Pilot Club International, Kappa Kappa Iota, Lioness Club, the Union County Chapter of the American Red Cross, Selective Service and the Literacy Council. A lifelong member of First Methodist Church of New Albany, she taught Sunday school for more than 25 years and served in several administrative and regional church leadership roles.

A native of New Albany, Thomas earned her associate degree from Northeast Mississippi Community College and her bachelor's degree from the University of Mississippi. Despite her educational beginnings elsewhere, her heart and her life's work belonged to ICC.

Throughout her more than five decades at ICC, Donna impacted thousands of students, employees and friends who were fortunate enough to know her. Her influence will continue to be felt in the halls she walked, the stories she told and the spirit of service she embodied. Her legacy will live on through the lives she touched and she will never be forgotten.