1982-1986

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• i ECJC loCal student enrollment is UR_

More and more Winston County students are discovering that East Central Junior College in Decatur is the ideal place for those obtaining their first two years of college or their post-secondary training. The enrollment figures clearly indicate the increase in student , population at ECJC. · ' ' ~· "We have definitely had a steady increase in enrollment from Winston County the past three spring semesters," said Gene Davis of Louisville, who is Dean of Students. Davis noted the current spring semester enrollment from the county is 112, compared to 93 for the 1986 spring semester, and 79 for the 1985 spring term. And overall enrollment is once again on the increase, Davis said, as 936 students are attending ECJC, an increase of over 10 percent as compared for the same penod the previous year. With enrollment on the increase, accomplishments, activities and events also seem to be on the increase, and the year 1986 was a perfect example to illustrate the many special happenings at East Central J lf ior College. Not only was 1986 spe9ial, it

was also historic as Dr. Eddie Smith, the school's sixth president, was formally inducted during ECJC ' s first Presidential Inauguration ceremonies held April 30. Dr. Smith actually assumed the school's presidency on July 1, 1985, succeeding Dr. Charles V. Wright who served for 19 years. Before coming to ECJC, Dr. Smith served as administrator for 14 years at Copiah-Lincoln Junior College in Wesson. He was Dean of Instruction at Co-Lin the last five years. He has also been associated with the University of Southern Miss. and the Natchez-Adams public school systems. A graduate of Noxapater High School, Dr. Smith received an associate degree from ECJC, the Bachelor of Science and Master of Education degrees from Mississippi State University, and a Doctorate in Education from the University of Southern Miss. Dr. Smith noted many accomplishments and goals that were achieved during 1986. He said the junior college completed its first five-year continuing strate~· plan, which covers all function and aspects of the school. The plan has been

developed to give pos1t1ve and definitive direction to the institution over a five-year period. Dr. Smith said all of the goals and objectives of the plan are stated in terms of specific outcomes to be accomplished. He added time frames, revenue/resource requirements, strategies, and evaluative criteria are listed for each of the objectives in the plan. He said the plan is a five– year rollover plan that will be revised and extended for an additional year on an annual basis. Dr. Smith was also named Phi Theta Kappa's (a national honorary society) first Presidential Ambassador. The position of Ambassador is · a newly created one, and Dr. Smith . is the first college president in the U.S. to be chosen for this honor. Ambassadors are selected by the regional coordinators and will serve as liaisons between Phi Theta Kappa and other two-year college presidents within their region. Being chosen for the honor has had an added meaning for Dr. Smith. He served as Theta Xi Chapter President at East Central in 1963. In other matters, Dr. Smith said ECJC applied for and received a $1.5 million low interest loan for

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