1982-1986

ECJC Established In Decatur, 1928 East Central Junior College was established in 1928 when the first year of college work was added to the Newton County Agricultural High School in Decatur. By the early l 930's four additional coun– ties had joined the - district. Neshoba, Scott, Leake and Win– ston Counties levied taxes and ap– pointed trustees to complete the five-county district. meeting special needs are offered in all five counties of the district. The Vocational-Technical and members, student government officers and council members, resident hall organizations and newspaper and yearbook publications. Tuition for a full-time student for the 1986-87 year was $670. When a district student adds an air-conditioned room and three meals per day to the tuition fees, the nine month term costs only $2020. This is approximately half the cost at the state public univer– sities. All residence halls and

Division of East Central Junior College as the youngest division of instruction has experienced the most growth in recent years. It has a current on-campus full-time enrollment of 365 and operates full-time program on campus and in Philadelphia. Under the Job Training Program Act (JTPA) in– structional programs in child care and in agricultural diesel mechanics operate on campus and in Newton. Another function of the Vocational-Technical Division has been to conduct extensive start-up training for new industry throughout the district. It also operates in-plant training programs for existing industry wherever the need arises. Locally programs have been conducted for ESCO, AMR, and Hughes Air– craft. Classes in accounting, banking, English, mathematics and literature have been taught at various evening locations. Since its inception East Central Junior College has participated in intercollegiate sports and activities. It holds membership in the Mississippi Public Junior College Association and the National Junior College Athletic Association. Fullscale programs are conducted in football, men's and women's basketball, tennis and men's baseball. Supporting these intercollegiate sports are many other activities including college band of more tnan 80 -members. Grants in aid are awarded to athletes in football and basketball and to all members of the mar– ching band. In addition to sports, students are provided opportunity for ex– tensive participation in recreation and intramural and in campus productions in drama and music. Other student organizations provide opportunities for leader– ship development as club officers

For more tha·n fifty years East Central Junior College has ex– perienced a steady growth in facilities, personnel, educational programs, and financial support. From that small beginning in 1928 when two faculty members taught the 26 students the basic core liberal arts courses - to the present professional staff of 65 serving near 1000 students, East Central Junior College has provided a quality educational program at very reasonable costs to the people of this area. The current bulletin lists 32 separate programs of study in the regular on-campus curricula. In addition, differing programs

classroom facilities except the large industrial shops at East Central Junior College are air-conditioned. More~than $7 million actual ex– penditures have been put 'into the physical plant representing a replacement value on current prices of millions more. Building and equipment are modern. Faculty and staff are well trained and experienced. The College has had regional accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools since 1939. Academic students have always transferred to senior colleges and universities in the state and region without dif– ficulty and without loss of credit where planned programs were followed successfully. Newton County can be justly proud of its. place in the historical development of East Central Junior College. It has supplied faculty, financial support and students; and it has supplied leadership--leadership from dedicated supervisors and other county officials, from trustees, from alumni, from business men and women and from industrial leaders. East Central Junior College has already launched its second half century of service. Newton County continues to be the hub of the college and its service. More than 200 Newton County students are currently enrolled . Thousands more have attended over the years, and many more will attend in the future. The first class to graduate from ECJC were awarded their degrees in 1930. By spring of 1986, fifty-six classes had graduated from the college. For 58 years, ECJC has been an important element in the educational opportunities offered in Newton County.

Academic courses for regular college credit are taught in the evenings both on campus and -------------~~ throughout the district on demand.

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