The Paul D. Cotten Leadership Award is presented to a Mississippian who has demonstrated exemplary leadership in the field of services for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The award recipient is selected from the membership of the Mississippi Chapter of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities based upon nominations from the members.

The award is named for Paul D. Cotten, Ph.D. Dr. Cotten is a noted pioneer in the provision of services to persons with intellectual and developmental disabilitiesin Mississippi. He was born in McComb and earned his undergraduate, masters, and doctorate degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi. He completed post-doctorate work at Columbia University, the University of Alabama, and the National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults. Dr. Cotten began his career in the field of mental retardation utilizing his music training to work in the field of music therapy. He held positions in Louisiana and Mississippi. In 1971 he was named Director of Ellisville State School. During the period of 1974-1981 he concurrently served as Director of the Division of Mental Retardation within the Mississippi Department of Mental Health. In 1984 he was named as Director of Boswell Regional Center until his retirement in 1992. Throughout years of service, Dr. Cotten maintained a teaching career and a strong involvement with issues related to aging. Dr. Cotten is the recipient of a number of awards and honors for his service to the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities, including Fellow Status in the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

Past Recipients of the Paul D. Cotten Award

• Dr. Jessey Higdon, 2009
• Dr. Kenneth O'Neal, 2008
• Jackie Breland, 2007
• Dr. Albert Hendrix, 2006
• Dr. Sandy A. Rogers, 2005
• Ms. Dale B. Roberts, 2004
• Ms. Renee Brett, 2003
• Ms. Gloria Johnson, 2002
• Ms. Regina Terry, 2001
• Mr. Edwin C. LeGrand, 2000
• Dr. Mark Yeager, 1999
• Dr. Carole Haney, 1998
• Mr. Willie Jefferson, 1997
• Dr. Pamela Baker, 1996
• Mr. Clyde Woodruff, 1995
• Ms. Suzie Lassiter, 1994
• Ms. Judy Westerfield, 1993
• Mr. Roger McMurtry, 1992
• Dr. Paul D. Cotten, 1991

Nomination

Nomination forms for the Paul D. Cotten award, along with instructions on how to submit the form, can be found on the Annual Conference page.