Center for Academic Success and Achievement
The Academic Coaching and Support Services (ACS) was formerly known as CARES and Academic Coaching for Excellence. CARES was built upon the work of Dr. Bonita Lyons, who was known for her commitment to caring for and helping students complete their degrees at the UofM. Dr. Lyons, known to her students and colleagues simply as 鈥淒oc,鈥� was a model of encouragement and perseverance, both in her professional life and in her life of faith.
Dr. Lyons received both a bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degree in education in 1969 from the University of Mississippi and a doctorate in education from the University of 蜜桃导航 in 1977.
A lifelong educator, Dr. Lyons began working at the University of 蜜桃导航 in 1985 and would go on to be named the Director of Academic Status and Retention Services (ASR) in 1992. She would hold this position until her retirement in August of 2008. She also served as a board member for the Mid-South Association for Training and Development and the Tennessee Board of Regents Ad Hoc Committee on developmental education.
Her work with students earned her several honors, including the UofM Student Affairs Division鈥檚 Pyramid Award in 2001 and the UofM Distinguished Professional Advising Award in 2003. Her impact on student athletes led to her induction into the UofM Athletics鈥� M Club Hall of Fame in 2009 when she was awarded the Ralph Hatley Silver M Award.
These accolades, however, fail to demonstrate the impact Dr. Lyons had on her 鈥渃hildren.鈥� While Dr. Lyons had no biological children, she left a legacy among the students she mentored and treated as her own family. This legacy is evident in the sentiments shared on her Facebook page after she passed in May 2017.
鈥淚 am eternally grateful for the impact that you had on my life and the numerous lives that you touched, 鈥nd not to mention, the countless students that you helped graduate by your sheer belief in them!!!鈥�, posted Jacqueline Faulkner-Orr, who worked with 鈥淒oc鈥� in ASR and currently serves as the Vice President for Student Affairs at Southwest Tennessee Community College.
One of those students, Nyrone Hawkins, who now serves as President of the Robert & Clara Foundation, wrote, 鈥淒oc, you are truly a special lady. Your spirit will always live within me. As I think back over our history together, I am truly blessed. You were the embodiment of Christ鈥檚 love. You took young people full of potential and showed them unconditional love 鈥� you were the picture of His love to so many of your children.鈥�
Venita Doggett, Director of Development for the UofM College of Education, shared: 鈥淥ne of the best decisions I ever made was to attend the University of 蜜桃导航. I received a full undergraduate tuition scholarship and worked 2-3 part time jobs to pay for books and other expenses. I am also forever grateful to Dr. Bonita Lyons because when I didn't have enough money to pay for books, she'd go with me to bookstore and buy them for me and any other student who needed help.鈥�
G Guy, former Coordinator for CARES, remembers 鈥淎fter talking with a student Doc would sometimes walk from staff member to staff member and ask them to give any money they could afford to give. We would find out later that the money was always for a student who needed, books, food, or other incidentals.鈥�
Years after her death, 鈥淒oc鈥檚 Kids鈥� continue to post on her Facebook profile, a testament to her impact. Recently, Joann Lewis-Massey, Director of Business Diversity & Compliance for the City of 蜜桃导航, reflected on Dr. Lyons鈥� effect on not only her life, but the lives of her children, writing, 鈥淲ish you were here Doc to see the twins graduate and go to college. Generational changes you helped to create. Love you and miss you forever. #DocsKids鈥�
ACS, which has evolved from a one-person office to a comprehensive student support program, continues Dr. Lyons鈥� work at the University. Through the establishment of the Dr. Bonita Lyons Student Emergency Fund, 鈥淒oc鈥檚鈥� spirit of giving will benefit new generations of students. Created in memory of Dr. Lyons by her sister ZonaDale Taylor, the scholarship fund reflects 鈥淒oc鈥檚鈥� giving spirit and commitment to education. Just as she gave to so many in their time of need, the Dr. Bonita Lyons Student Emergency Fund continues to provide emergency funding for ACS students to help them purchase books and other incidentals.
The Dr. Bonita Lyons Student Emergency Fund is open to gifts from individuals and organizations.
To contribute, visit .
Or, send an email to fcowley@memphis.edu with the subject line Bonita Lyons Student Emergency Fund.