Dr. Jerry Hollis is as familiar with Northwest Mississippi Community College as one can be. He has taught at the college for 34 years, and spent the last 20 heading up the college’s Biology Department.

In May, Hollis will retire from his full-time position, leaving behind a legacy of students that include doctors, lawyers, judges, teachers and other professionals. But he won’t be far away. Hollis, like many others who retire, plans to teach at least one class nest semester.

Hollis, a native of Vardaman, in Calhoun County, graduated from the University of Mississippi earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Biology. Before coming to Northwest, he taught at Vardaman High School, and as a graduate assistant in the biology lab at The University of Mississippi. He also earned his doctorate in Higher Education and Biology from Ole Miss.

While at Ole Miss, Hollis participated in a research project with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers working in the flood control reservoirs in North Mississippi, including Sardis, Enid, Arkabutla and Grenada Lakes. He helped collect biological data, monitoring the lakes and looking for any environmental problems. They studied the benthos, or organisms that live on the bottom of the lakes.

Since coming to Northwest, he has taught General Biology, Medical Terminology, Microbiology, Zoology, and Anatomy and Physiology. As chairman of the Biology Department, he is responsible for overseeing seven teachers, curriculum development, developing new classes and scheduling.

Hollis is proud of the fact that many of his students have gone into professional fields. “I see former students all the time. Some of them have told me that they changed their major because they loved the class. That makes me feel good,” Hollis said.

Dr. Stacy Jones, Northwest Division Director of Math and Science, expressed the college's gratitude for Hollis' long service at Northwest. "It has been a pleasure working with Dr. Hollis for the past five years.  His dedication to Northwest and his students is unsurpassed.  Through his efforts, Northwest has had many students who have successfully started and completed veterinary school.  His 34 years of quality service to the college is a goal to which all instructors should aspire, " Jones said. 

Hollis and his wife Linda live in Senatobia and are the parents of Bridget, a physician in Virginia, Jonathan, a student at The University of Mississippi, and Angela, a student at Mississippi State University. They have one grandson, Parker, and have another grandson, who will be born in May. They are also the owners of Hollis Appraisal.

Hollis plans to help his wife in the appraisal business after retirement. He also plans to do a lot of fishing he says.