2004

side. . "For years we had May Day, the biggest event on campus. It was held where the ~cience building is now located. May Day activities ended in 1973.•· she recalled. She mentioned other "tra– ditional activities" once held on campus, including: the shaving of freshmen boys' heads by sophomores. "Freshman Day" (a day of fun-filled activities and no tests were given by teach– ers). Sadie Hawkins Dance, Religious Emphasis Week, and the much-anticipated playing of the "big drum" by freshmen the week of the

"laid the foundation for the college." Wood, who attend– ed EC from 1949-50 and began her employment in 1956. remarked that she was a~sociated with six of the College's seven presidents: Dt: L. 0. Todd, who served from 1934-53; Arno Vincent, 1953-1962; Dr. Douglas Mont– gomery, 1962-1966; Dr. Charles Wright, 1966-1985; Dr. Eddie M. Smith, 1985- 2000: and Dr. Phil A Sut– phin, who has led the Col– lege since 2000. Roscoe Pugh, the College's first president, served from 1928 to 1934. Wood referred to Dr. Todd as ''the light on the bill.'' "He knew every ~student by name and his/fi.er par– ents. He worked with the farmers and day laborers to send their children to East Central. He was a learned man and was called on to speak on educational mat– ters throughout this coun– try," she said. Wood also made com– ments about Vincent and

Smithwas a hands-on presl– dent and that was what we needed to become what we are today. That same tradi– tion is continuing under Dr. Sutphin." Instructors she men– tioned included Janie Sulli– van, "from whom \Ve learned respect, manners and the appreciation of beauty;" Stella Newsome, "a romantic with a sense of humor and whit;" Frank Cross, "who made his mark at the College by the stu– dents who passed his chem– istry classes;" Frank Leatherwood, "whose biolo– gy lab was filled with speci– mens of plant, animal and rock formations from the area and was known for say– ing, "You can't hit a star aiming at a stump;" Ethel Burton, "who went about her business of building a library where everything was neatly arranged and conducive to learning;" Una Harris, "who taught Eng!' <~ , spon ored The