1982-1986

...

Dr. Smith ·Sixth ECJC President

Dr. Eddie M. Smith, an alum– nus of East Central Junior College, was inaugurated last Wednesday afternoon as the sixth president of the junior college. He was named to the office by the college's board of trustees at a meeting in March 1985, and assumed the office on July I. "These are most difficult times to be the head of any educational institution in the state of Mississippi," said Richard A Boyd, the state superintendent of education, in his address. "But history has shown that many of our most creative ideas emerge at a time of crisis. Even though he takes over at a time of great un– certainty, I know he has the ability to meet the challenge." Boyd was one of several speakers and guests for the oc– casion. Ovid Vickers served as the Ceremonial Marshall; Brad J. Tucker welcomed and recognized special guests; Reverend Gus Merritt delivered the invocation; and guest speakers included Arno Vincent, a past president of EC– JC; George V. Moody, director of the Bureau of Junior Colleges; and Don Milner, associate direc– tor, Bureau of Vocational– Technical Education. The inaugural ceremony in– cluded two new additions to EC– JC tradition. A ceremonial mace, designed and built by ECJC in– structors Larry Blackburn and Richard Clark, was carried in the processional by Vickers. A presidential medallion also was

designed for the ceremony, and will be worn by Dr. Smith for future college ceremonial oc– casion. Henry Hudspeth, the chairman of the ECJC board of trustees, performed the inves\iture of the president and charged Smith with the responsibility for using the powers of his office to· improve the college and strengthen its commitment to educational ser– vice in its five-county district. ''I am here to serve and not to be served," said Dr. Smith in his response to the investiture. "I am here to help, and not to provide obstacles." Dr . Smith is married to the former Charlotte Flowers of Nat– chez and they have two children. Kelli is a senior at Mississippi State University, and Wendy is a freshman at ECJC.

Inauguration Dr. Eddie M. Smith (right) is congratulated in the receiving line by Dr. Gerald Turner, Chancellor of Ole Miss, upon his ina~guration last week as the sixth president of East Central Junior College.