Alumni News

The MPCS Network provides you with a digital platform designed to connect businesses with families and families with businesses, as well as professional industry contacts. Taking it one step further than LinkedIn, you will now have the power to connect personally and professionally with everyone in our MPCS community. This platform is designed to serve businesses as well as our alumni community. Read below to get a brief idea of what this platform can do for you! And, yes, you can download our app. Learn about the key features of the network:

• FEED (NEWS): This is the landing page each time you sign onto the network. From this page, you will be able to read and interact with content that is most relevant to you. It is here that you will find the most recent updates on businesses as well as alumni news and life stories. This is also the place to give solicited input and to be a part of conversations related to being an alumnus of MPCS. You can post alumni-related news or business information in the news feed.
• DIRECTORY: Through the directory, you can find people and the contact information of anyone affiliated with our MPCS community. Please set up your professional profile upon registration in order for you to make full use of the platform.
• COMMUNITY BUSINESS DIRECTORY: This is the place to meet specific shopping needs, while also supporting the MPCS community. You can post your business in this directory or seek services from those businesses owned/operated by the MPCS community.
• MENTORING HUB: Whether you are seeking to be a mentor to a mentee, use the mentoring hub to be a part of the all-important networking piece of the platform. It is here where you can find career guidance, as well as industry connections and job recommendations.
• JOBS: Access the jobs feature to either seek job opportunities (job board) or offer job opportunities for others. You will be able to see the companies/businesses of registered users in the MPCS network who may have specific employment needs at any particular time. This is also the place to learn of current internships being offered by employers within the MPCS community.
• PHOTOS: This is your place to see photos and photo albums reliving past and current alumni events as well as important school news.
• GROUPS: Groups is the place where you can connect with alumni who have related interests and shared experiences. Whether it be athletics, clubs, mission trips, arts industry or something else, you can connect with others who share similar interests in your own exclusive space.
• EVENTS: The events page will keep you informed of relevant school-related networking events, particularly alumni-related events that occur throughout the school year. It is here that you will also sign up for special events that require registration.
• COMMUNICATIONS: Regularly receive the alumni newsletter and other relevant communications via email.
• RESOURCES: The resources option allows administrators and users to post relevant resources, in the form of files, for others to see and use. 

2021 ALUMNI ASSOCIATION AWARDS RECIPIENTS

2021 Honorary Alumna of the Year: Susan King

Susan King’s relationship with MPCS began in 1984, when she was hired as a teacher. After being at the school for several years, she joined the administrative team and became the school's first admissions director in 1989. From 1989-1992, she served in a variety of positions, including lower school principal and interim headmaster. In 1992, she became headmaster at MPCS, a position she held until 2004, when she placed MPCS into the capable hands of Dr. David Tilley. Her leadership during her 12 years as headmaster was critical in the growth of the school in allowing MPCS to become the school it is today. Mrs. King’s love for MPCS has continued since leaving in 2004. We recognize her for her efforts during her 20 year tenure at MPCS. It is clear that she, like the Biblical Esther,  was placed in her influential position at MPCS “for such a time as this.”

Mrs. King’s leadership was what MPCS needed during the time she was here, and the school is forever grateful for the sacrifices and commitment she made to MPCS during transitional years.

2021 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year: Beau O’Dell '06

After graduating from MPCS in 2006, Beau O'Dell attended KSU and then earned a BS degree from Waldorf University in Fire Science Administration in 2013. He served as a Cobb County Fireman for 10 years. A few years ago, he became involved in the insurance business and was promoted to agency owner with Farmers Insurance (O’Dell Agency in Woodstock) in December 2020.

While a student at MPCS, Beau led chapel worship and was involved in student life, participating in the Arts and Athletics.  Three years ago, he began serving on the alumni council and is currently the council’s VP and incoming president, beginning July 1, 2022. Beau’s sister, Tara Ellison '02, is an MPCS alumna, and his mother, Terry, worked as a teacher at MPCS for many years. 

Beau and his family attend Four Points Church in Acworth. One of his favorite quotes is, "Charisma will take you to high places but character... character will keep you there! Give me Jesus. You can have all this world, just give me Jesus.”

2021 Distinguished Athletic Alumnus of the Year: Taylor Trammell '16

During his time at MPCS, Taylor Trammell excelled in both football and baseball, earning numerous honors and recognition in both sports. Upon his graduation, Taylor was immediately drafted in the first round by the Cincinnati Reds. Since that time, he has diligently worked his way through the minor league system and was in last year's starting lineup on opening day for the Seattle Mariners. He eventually split last season with the Mariners and their triple AAA affiliate, Tacoma. One of his biggest highlights last season was earning two homeruns in a game against the White Sox.

Taylor shared that it is an honor to receive the Distinguished Athletic Alumnus of the Year Award and that he always tries to use his talents to reflect Christ-like behavior. He says that his time at MPCS was fascinating, and, more than anything, his relationship with Jesus grew substantially. His favorite part of MPCS was his relationship with the operations team: talking with Mr. Ron, Ms. Sheila, Mr. Tony, or hearing Mr. Warren singing. Taylor says that the most important thing he took away from MPCS was that “how you treat people goes a long way. You never know what people are going through.”

Taylor stated that Baseball Coach Kyle Reese had the greatest impact on him at MPCS: “He is the best coach in GHSA Class A baseball and has been for the past 10 years. His knowledge on the field is remarkable, and he truly cares for each individual on his team.”

2021 Arts Alumnus of the Year “MACkie Award”: Jared Knox ‘17

Jared Knox ‘17 is a visual artist who was recognized recently as the Best of Cobb Artist for 2022. Jared is also the MPCS MACkie Award recipient, which is the first time that an alumnus chosen for this award works in the visual arts category. Jared’s artwork has been featured in Atlanta’s Voyage Magazine and his work was previously displayed in the dk Art Gallery, which represents the best of today's emerging and established contemporary painters and sculptors.

Jared cultivated his love and pursuit of visual arts while at MPCS and has continued developing his skills to such a degree that his work now hangs in professional galleries and is being collected and commissioned. At MPCS, talent in the arts is a gift given to those who see God’s truth and beauty in the world and express that truth through their work to glorify our creator. Jared exemplifies this ideal: he is a kind and gentle soul whose artistic creations of his perspectives on nature and people show God’s beauty.

2021 Distinguished Servant-Leader of the Year: Will Thompson ‘07

Will Thompson ‘07 is the inaugural recipient of the MPCS Alumnus Distinguished Servant-Leader of the Year award.

Will played varsity basketball and baseball at MPCS and then continued to play varsity baseball at Wheaton College, graduating in 2011 with degrees in Spanish and Biblical studies.

His passion for sports ministry and reaching the people of Japan with the Gospel led him to start Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Tokyo (Japan) in 2012. Today, Will serves a dual role in leading the FCA Japan team and as the FCA East Global Division Ministry Advancement Director, with responsibilities across East Asia. Will is currently based in Marietta and working remotely. He is currently serving as an assistant baseball coach for MPC baseball teams and serves on the MPCS Alumni Mission Partners committee.

Will exemplifies the mission of MPCS and possesses the heart of a true servant-leader. In his personal life, work, and ministry, he has advanced the Kingdom of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ by serving others.

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