1954-1972

Lind~ Latham Serving In Two Jobs At ECJC

Miss Linda Lathem is in her second year as teacher of the Foodamentals of Journalism class at East Central Junior College in Decatur. Actually, she has come back home to ECJC. It hasn't been too long since she, herself, was a itudent at the college. Graduating with Sebastopol's class of '67, she then went to ECJC to begin her college education. She recalls that during her first semester, she was not happy with the college. However, as she became acquainted with the faculty and administration, she began to like college and ECJC. Her first brush with jour– nalism came when her roommate, a member of the college paper staff persuaded her to write a story. That story was the spark that set the journalistic fire going. Miss Lathem was named managing editor and eventually co-editor of the Tom-Tom. "When the time came to go to a senior college, she chose, from several available ··sctiolarships, the one that · would carry her to the University of Southern Miss. Once there, she pursued her interests in journalism as Entertainments Editor on the Student Printz. She devoted much of her time to covering newsworthy events on the campus. Her features have also appeared in various other newspapers including the Clarion-Ledger. Not surprisingly, this talented young woman holds down two jobs at ECJC. She is also the Public Relations Director. That is what brought her back to the college. In an editorial which had much impact at ECJC, Scott County Times Editor, Erle Johnston publicized the necessity of releases being made on students as they made achievements in the school and on the campus. At that time ECJC was without a director of public relations. An official of the school contacted Miss Lathem and offered her the position.

Harris chosen Outstandin_g Educator, 'J1 Shelby L. Harris, chairman of the mathematics depart– ment, at East Central Junior College, has been chosen an Outstanding Educator of Am– erica for 1971. Nominated earlier this year, Hards was selected for the honor on the basis of his civic and professiooal achi– evements. Outstanding Educators of America is an annual awards p:ogram honoring distingu– ished men and women for their exceptional service, achieve– ments, and leadership in the field of education. Harris is a graduate of Union High School, East Cen– tral Junior College, and the Universicy of Southern Miss– issippi. He received his M.Ed• . from Mississippi State Uni– versicy and has completedfur– ther work atMississippi Coll– ege, Tulane and Florida state Universicy. He has completed residents requirements oo his Ph.D. in math at the Univer– sicy of Southern Mississippi. Harris has been associated with East Central Junior Coll– ege since · 1963. He has directed the ECJC Band, has served as chairman of num– erous committees, andispre– sent]y serving as chairman of the mathematics department and as sponsor of AlphaAlpha Epsiloo, engineering club. Each year those chosen · outstanding educators are featured in a natiooal awards volume -- "Outstanding Edu– cators of America."

LINDA LATHEM BY BILLIE WATSON

education, she welcomed the opportunity to return to her ahna mater. Since then she has completed that work. She spent last summer doing graduate work at USM. "I really enjoy this job," said the pastel beauty. "Too, I hope we can expand our Journalism Dept. This is such a rewarding field!" A delightful person, she becomes radiant when someone mentions her future plans. No, her heart is not set, just now, on a vine-covered cottage with pretty pink flowers spilling out of its window boxes. Rather, she looks forward to getting her Master's Degree in Com– munications. When queried concerning her views on Women's Lib, the young native of Scott County expressed her views candidly and with much perception. '.lThe woman has a place to fulfill in today's world just as much as the man does; I do not think women should be denied positions of importance if they are capable of fulfilling those ' positions. Nevertheless, I still enjoy having a man open the door and offer to carry packages for me," Miss Lathem said.

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Having ahnost completed the requirements for her B. S. degree in English and jour– nalism with a minor in